What you need to know for the opening ceremony of Olympic 2024 in Paris
With a one-time show right on the Seine, the Olympic Games in Paris begin. For the pompous opening ceremony on Friday evening, France has prepared a lot. And sometimes gives itself an air of mystery.
Where can one watch the celebration?
Fans in Germany can watch it on TV in ARD (from 18 hours), Eurosport (from 19.30 hours), and live at ntv.de. Around 300,000 fans are expected to attend the celebrations at the Seine banks. Those who wish to be among them should remember one thing: be early. After 18.30 hours, there will be no more entry. In Paris, fans can also admire the ceremony on one of the large screens set up at various locations in the city.
What's special about this event?
This is the first time that the Olympic Games opening ceremony is not held in a stadium but on the water. Instead, the parade will take place on about 90 boats. More than 200 delegations are expected to pass through the Seine's center of Paris - past landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, or the Musée d'Orsay.
How does the celebration go?
It starts at 19.30 hours at the Pont d'Austerlitz. The parade ends after a six-kilometer journey towards the northwest at the Trocadéro, right by the Eiffel Tower. The ceremonial part of the opening is scheduled to take place at the Trocadéro after the parade. The Olympic Flame must also be lit there. The show ends at 23.15 hours.
The celebration is expected to be adorned with music and dance performances and light shows. According to the "Parisien," 400 dancers and 3000 artists are expected to perform - possibly even on the Seine bridges. The organizers want to showcase French cultural heritage in twelve different scenic settings. Skate and BMX stars are also expected to put on a show.
When will the German teams pass by the Seine?
The German athletes and athletes will be on the seventh boat in the parade. Judo World Champion Anna-Maria Wagner and Basketball Star Dennis Schroeder will carry the German flag. The German team is entering the games with around 430 athletes and aims to reverse the downward trend of the previous games.
Traditionally, the Greek delegation is supposed to start the parade, and France could end the flotilla parade as the host. In principle, the other delegations are expected to sail in alphabetical order.
Who is performing?
This secret is well-guarded. There are rumors, however. So, French icon Celine Dion is said to be in Paris, as well as megastar Lady Gaga. Dion had canceled all her European tour dates for 2023 and 2024 due to health reasons. If she sings at the ceremony, it would be a special moment for her and her fans.
According to rumors, Dion could sing "L'Hymne à l'amour" by Chanson legend Edith Piaf and duet with Lady Gaga on "La vie en rose." French R&B singer Aya Nakamura could interpret a song by Chansonnier Charles Aznavour.
What else is eagerly anticipated?
Traditionally, the Olympic Flame's lighting is also uncertain. According to rumors, French athlete and three-time Olympic champion Marie-José Pérec could be the one to light it. The name of football star Zinedine Zidane is also circulating.
Approximately 120 heads of state and government representatives are expected to attend the opening ceremony, among them German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The American First Lady Jill Biden will also be present at the ceremony live. According to the French newspaper "Le Parisien," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not attend the opening.
Who will not be there?
Participants from Russia and Belarus are not allowed to attend. Due to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, athletes from both countries can only participate under a neutral flag, and team sports are completely excluded. The 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians who received a start permit for Paris after a multi-stage verification process were not granted entry to the opening ceremony.
What is being done for the safety of the event?
Security is a major concern at the Olympics in France. For the opening ceremony, there will be 45,000 security personnel on duty. The airspace within a 150-kilometer radius of Paris will be closed off for the evening. The areas of the Seine along which the parade takes place are widely closed off for automobile traffic.
The Olympic Games 2024 in Paris promises to be a spectacle, with notable figures like Anna-Maria Wagner and Dennis Schroeder representing Germany in the parade. History enthusiasts might find interest in the event, as it's the first Olympic Games opening ceremony to take place on water, including a parade of boats passing famous landmarks such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre.
